The UCLA Bruins’ four-game losing streak to open 2025 is in the rearview mirror by now. The Bruins have since won eight of nine outright and gone 5-0-1 against the spread in their last six.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers will be the next piece of fodder in Westwood. My Minnesota vs. UCLA predictions expect the Bruins to keep the good things going at the Pauley Pavilion tonight.
Read more in my college basketball picks for Tuesday, February 18.
Minnesota vs UCLA prediction
My best bet
UCLA -11.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Minnesota Gophers were eight-point underdogs against USC on Saturday, pulling off an upset after being down nine points at halftime. Four free throws in the final 13 seconds gave Minnesota that 69-66 victory.
However, one win this weekend does not forecast another now, and certainly not from this Minnesota team. The Gophers had a quick surge about a month ago, winning three straight Big Ten games as underdogs in mid-January. Since then, Minnesota has fallen back to earth, going 2-3 both outright and against the spread, even including that upset of USC.
Doubting the Gophers tonight stems from more than recent performances. It also stems from clear problems in this matchup.
The UCLA Bruins force the second-highest turnover rate in Big Ten play, and now they face an offense in the middle of that pack in protecting the ball. That should help the Bruins build a lead, particularly given their refusal to turn over the ball themselves.
To make matters worse for the Gophers, the Bruins should hold onto any such hefty lead due to their insistence on forcing 3-point attempts. No one in the Big Ten encourages opponents to shoot from deep as much as UCLA does, and nearly 46% of opponents’ shots come from beyond the arc.
For example, Purdue is No. 2 in the Big Ten in forcing opponents to shoot from deep on 45.4% of their field goals; the Boilermakers also have a Top-40 defense and are considered a Top-10 team for a reason.
And UCLA’s overall defense is even better.
The comedy tonight will be that Minnesota hates shooting 3-pointers, taking them on only 34.3% of its shots in conference play, No. 15 in the Big Ten. Why do the Gophers hate shooting 3-pointers? In some part because they make only 34.2% of them, No. 9 in the conference.
As UCLA forces Minnesota to chuck from long range in a comeback attempt, it may only grow the Bruins’ lead tonight.
Minnesota vs UCLA same-game parlay (SGP)
UCLA -11.5
Under 131
Dawson Garcia Over 1.5 threes
This may be a Big Ten game of old, one that elicits jokes about Iowa football and Brian Ferentz. These are the two slowest teams in Big Ten play, per KenPom. Minnesota, in particular, plays at a comically slow rate. Tonight, UCLA will not mind indulging that, especially as it forces the Gophers to simply move the ball around the perimeter waiting for someone to hoist from deep.
Minnesota hopes it is center Dawson Garcia who shoots from beyond the arc. The fifth-year veteran has shot 19-of-61 from deep in Big Ten play, a not-so-encouraging 31.1%, but only senior guard Mike Mitchell shoots more often from deep, and his 31.9% is not much more encouraging.
Garcia has made multiple 3-pointers in six of 12 games in 2025, one game less than Mitchell has. Incorporating Garcia in this SGP increases its payout by 71% compared to including Mitchell.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game CBB moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your school goes up by 18+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Minnesota vs UCLA odds
Minnesota vs UCLA live odds
Minnesota vs UCLA opening odds
- Spread: Minnesota +13.5 | UCLA -13.5
- Moneyline: Minnesota +750 | UCLA -1,200
- Over/Under: Over 130 | Under 130
Odds courtesy of bet365
Minnesota vs UCLA betting trend to know
UCLA 3-1-1 against the spread at home since Jan. 17. Find more college basketball betting trends for Minnesota vs. UCLA.
How to watch Minnesota vs UCLA
| Location | Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date | Tuesday, 2-18-2025 |
| Tip-off | 10:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | FS1 |
Minnesota vs UCLA key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
